Engine indicator



May 6, 1924. 1,492,754

J. H. SHEATS ENGINE INDICATOR Filed March 15, 1921 v 7f/Wfu; B

Patented May 6, 1924.

umrru STATES P'ATENT'QVFFICE.

Jonnmsnm'rs. or Barron, 01:10, assrenon T GENERAL morons nnsmcn con.-

- rorwrron, or nnz'romomo, A. CQRBO'RATION or DELAWARE.

Enema mmca'r'on.

\ Application filed March 15, 1921. Serial No. 452,681.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H.'S EA 'rs,a

citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery,

5 and State ofx Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine Indicators (Docket No. 60), of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to optical indicators, and in its preferred form of embodiment relates partlcularly to pressure elements for such instruments.

p In rior application, Serial No. 370,427,

filed pril 1, 1920, by Thomas Mid ley, J r.,

on Indicators, there has been escribed an optical indicator, more particularly for use "on internal-combustion engines of" the high speed type, and designed to enable obtaming pressure-time as well as pressurevolume indications. The indicator is provided with a pressure element carrying a mirror so arranged as'to oscillate in accordance with the variation in pressure in the cylinders. From this mirror a beam of light 26 is reflected to another mirror. and thence to a surface upon which the movements of the path of the beam may be observed.

The pressure element described in the above mentioned prior application is inhaving relatively a wide range of pressure variatlons and in which the ressure is sometimes very high. It is obvious that a pressure element which would cooperate with the indicator to give similar indications of small ranges of pressure variations and sensitive to rather low pressures would be very desirable, and it is one ofthe principal objects of the present invention, to provide a pressure element adapted to respond to these small variations.

The pressures in the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine. although they may be either above or below attended for use on cylinders or chambers mospheric, have a small range compared to efliciency can be calculated and other desirable characteristics can be determined.

It isanother object of the present invention, therefore, to provide for an optical engine indicator a pressure element adapted to respond tothe pressures occurring within the intake manifold. i

1' 'Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferredform of embodiment'of the invention is clearly shown; T i

In the drawing: v j he figureis a view'partly in section (and partly in elevation ofa preferred form of pressure element.

The pressure element designated as a wholeby the numeral 10 comprises a tube ll'having its lower end threaded at, 12 for securing therein ahousing 13 for the diaphragm 14 The housing 13 preferably comprises an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 21 adapted for rigidly securing therebetween the diaphragm 14, the lower portion being threaded to'permit securing the pressure element to the manifold 'of the internal-combustion engine.

A diaphragm which is flexible and which is impervious to gases is particularly desirable for use in the housing 13 and, among other suitable materials, a diaphragm of leather, in the form of a thin sheet, is found to be very satisfactory even though other materials will operate with equal satisfaction. In case the pressure element were to be installed where injurious heat would result to the diaphragm, other flexible members such as those constructed of sheet metal might be substituted.

Upon the upper and lower sides of this diaphragm are installed means for exerting pressure thereon preferably in the form of spiral springs 30 and 31 having spring cups 32 bearing against opposite sides of the diaphragm. Adjusting members 33 and 34 may be installed in the housing 13 for varying the pressures of the springs upon the diaphragm. It is particularly desirable to have the spring 31 below the diaphragm adjustable so that adjustments may be made for pressures which are below atmospheric and which would result in a downward pull on the diaphragm.

- ing with the optical indicator to Secured to the diaphragm is a rod '40 having a threaded portion at 41 for adjusting the height thereof above the diaphragm. This rod extends up through the tube 11 and the top plate 42 of the pressure element.

Pivotally mounted in the standards 43 secured in a suitable manner to the top plate 42, is a mirror 44. This mirror has an arm 45 secured to its shaft 46 and adapted to receive the impulses of the rod and trans fer them to the mirror.

Thus with the pressure element installed upon the intake manifold of the internalcombustion engine, variations of the pressure within the intake manifold will cause fluctuations in the diaphragm which will be transmitted to the rod which in turn causes the mirror to oscillate, the mirror cooperatgive indications of these pressures.

The range of movement of the diaphragm may be varied by adjusting the pressures exerted upon the diaphragm by the spring members. The angle of inclination of the mirror may be varied by adjusting the height of the rod 40 above the diaphragm or more delicately by means of the adjusting screw 50.

Although the invention has been described relative to its adaptation and operation upon the intake manifold of an internalcombustion engine, it is obvious that the pressure element is equally suitable for use on other chambers having varying low pressures therein.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described constitutes a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

\Vhat I claim is as follows:

1. A pressure element for optical engine indicators comprising a cylindrical casing adapted at one end to be attached to and extend into the wall of an engine manifold; a diaphragm operating within the casing adjacent the point of attachment and adapted to be actuated by the pressures in the manifold; means operating against the diaphragm for resisting the pressures of the manifold; a rod fixed to the diaphragm and extending longitudinally through the casing; and a mirror mounted on the other end of the casing and adapted to be oscillated by the rod.

2. A pressure element for optical engine indicators comprising a hollow cylindrical casing adapted to be screwed into the wall of the engine manifold; a leather diaphragm secured and operating within the casing and responsive to the pressures in the manifold; spring members above and below the diaphragm; means for adjusting the pressure of the spring members upon the diaphragm; a rod secured to the diaphragm and extending through the casing; a mirror, pivotally mounted on the end of the casing, adapted to be oscillated by the rod upon movements of the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

JOHN H. SHEATS. Witnesses:

L. H. Emuox, P. K. LEE. 

